Harvey L. Bryant, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach, announced today that Paul King Bennett III, 25 years old, who previously resided in the 2300 block of Ardmore Avenue in Chesapeake, Virginia, was sentenced today by Circuit Court Judge William R. O’Brien for Armed Robbery, Armed Burglary, Conspiracy, Use of a Firearm, Wearing a Mask, and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. Judge O’Brien sentenced Bennett to 52 years in prison with 39 years suspended, leaving 13 years to serve.
At the time that Bennett committed these offenses, he was on court-ordered “good behavior” for Burglary, Maliciously Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle, and Petit Larceny from a March 2007 sentencing. These new criminal convictions were violations of his “good behavior” period, and resulted in the Court revoking prison time that was previously suspended. Therefore, Judge O’Brien today sentenced Bennett to an additional year in prison for a Violation of Probation. His total sentence today is 14 years in prison.
Bennett pled guilty on August 14, 2012. Had this matter gone to trial, the Commonwealth’s evidence would have proven that at about 4 a.m. on October 16, 2009, Bennett and co-conspirators Adden Slaton and John Anderson broke into a home on Salina Drive in Virginia Beach. All three wore gloves and masks. A woman, who was five months pregnant, and her 5-year-old daughter were in the home. Anderson pointed a shotgun at the victim and demanded money and valuables. As they ransacked the home, the child woke up, and Anderson pointed the shotgun at her. Bennett and his accomplices made off with a television, laptop, jewelry, cell phone, and a handgun.
Autumn Simpson and Nicole Enders remained outside acting as look outs during the robbery. Eventually all five defendants piled into a Jeep to flee. As Simpson hit the gas, Anderson fell out of the Jeep and was left behind. The others stashed the stolen items and shotgun before going back to find Anderson. A responding officer with the Virginia Beach Police Department spotted the Jeep as it returned to the area of the robbery. Eventually all five involved were arrested and charged in connection with the crime.
Bennett’s co-conspirators pled guilty and were sentenced as follows for their roles in the crime: Simpson, 11 years; Anderson, 7 years; Slaton, 8 years; and Enders, 6 years.
Bennett has prior convictions for Disorderly Conduct, Concealed Weapon, and Reckless Driving- Endangerment.
The case was prosecuted by Associate Commonwealth’s Attorney Katherine E. Orsini and Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Elliott H. DeJarnette. Please contact Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.